Conflict Escalation in Cuba and Venezuela: Nonviolent dynamics and a call to action

Conflict Escalation in Cuba and Venezuela: Nonviolent dynamics and a call to action

“We have not chosen the path of peace as a tactic, but because it is inseparable from the goal for which our people are striving. Experience teaches us that violence begets more violence and that when political change is brought about by such means, new forms of oppression and injustice arise. It is our wish that violence and force should never be used as ways of overcoming crises or toppling unjust governments.” – Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, Strasbourg, France December 17, 2002

640 days ago civic nonviolent leaders Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and Harold Cepero were killed under extremely suspicious circumstances. Both men had led lives of nonviolent resistance to injustice. Today learned about, Orlando Lorenzo de Jesús Castellano Olivo. the latest Venezuelan youth to be shot in the head and killed.

Since February 12, 2014 43 have died during anti-government demonstrations and it has now been confirmed that at least some of the youth shot in the head, were shot by government agents. The struggle in Cuba has been going on for more than 55 years and Venezuela’s now for 15 years. While reading Michael N. Nagler’s new book, “The Nonviolence Handbook: A Guide for Practical Action” read a passage that struck me with regards to the struggles now taking place in these two countries.